With all reports pointing toward USC coach Pete Carroll leaving the Trojans and joining the Seahawks, here’s the most tangible piece of evidence suggesting that something is amiss.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, USC’s recruits have been trying unsuccessfully to reach the school’s assistant coaches.
Other schools already have begun contacting players like receiver Kyle Prater and running back Dillon Baxter, who made a verbal commitment (i.e., a non-commitment) to the Trojans as a freshman and has not considered alternative landing spots.
In this regard, keep in mind that even the players who have played the baseball cap version of the shell game are not bound until they sign a letter of intent in early February. Thus, any players who had planned to go to USC can go elsewhere.
Likewise, USC’s new coach will be able to pursue players who have already given verbal commitments to other programs.